On July 13, anglers fishing live bait scored near-limits to limits of rockfish, nearly one per rod on lings and several halibut and stripers per boat. The Hali came back with 3/4 limits of rockcod for its 31 passengers. The anglers also bagged 31 lingcod to 16 pounds and nine halibut to 15 pounds. The New Golden Eye finished the day off with full rockcod limits and 56 lingcod to 18 pounds for 33 people.

Similar action is being experienced by anglers going out of Emeryville, with most trips producing limits of rockcod and solid numbers of bass and halibut, according to Craig Stone at Emeryville Sportfishing. The top results are being experienced while using live anchovies near the Farallon Islands.

On July 12, the New Huck Finn came back from fishing the Farallon Islands with 370 assorted rockcod and 40 lingcod for 37 anglers. The following day's trips yielded similar action when the New Seeker checked in with 232 rockcod and 58 lings taken on live anchovies at the islands. The C-Gull II had a good potluck trip that produced 60 rockfish, 5 lings, 10 halibut and 5 stripers.

Limits of king salmon and rockcod are on the menu out of Half Moon Bay, said Bill Beckett at Huck Finn Sportfishing. "From Thursday through Saturday, the boats that got out to the Farallon Islands scored limits of salmon and so did the shallow water charter boats targeting rockcod," said Beckett.

"However, on Sunday, the wind came up and our salmon scores suffered a bit." On July 12, Ankeney Street checked in with 23 limits of assorted rockfish and five lingcod, while New Captain Pete brought in 28 rockcod for five passengers.

Sunday's scores were still good for shallow water rockcod enthusiasts aboard the Ankeney Street, who ended their day with 13 limits of rockfish, 9 lings and 14 cabezon. Twenty-six anglers on the Queen of Hearts worked all day for their 262 rockcod and 14 lingcod. They also brought in full limits of cabezon (3 per person).

"Our boats have been running down to Carmel Bay for near shore rockfishing and the action is spectacular, with most days producing limits," confirmed Todd Arcoleo from Chris' Fishing Trips. "On the latest trip, the lings were a little tough to catch, but we did manage to catch a half ling per rod and with full limits of rockcod, including blues, blacks, gophers and vermilions."

Although rockfishing has been wide open off the Monterey Coast, Chris' Fishing will be holding off on rockcod due to a wide-open salmon bite off Santa Cruz that is producing limits of kings in the 30 pound category. "The salmon have finally arrived in big numbers, so we're putting the rockfish trips on the back burner until the salmon bite cools off when the fish move out of the area," explained Arcoleo.

Before heading out on a rockfish and lingcod trip, it is important to read through the California Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet to become familiar with bag possession limits, size restrictions, and other regulations.